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Vegetable gardening is a fun rewarding hobby. The bounty that you grow that is fresher, better tasting, and less expensive than the grocery store. Gardeners also get exercise, stress reduction, and get to work outside. A big plus is you get to control, and you know, what goes into the fruits, vegetables, and herbs that you grow.

Choose the Perfect Spot

Most vegetables need a good amount of sunlight to grow well. Observe your yard to find a location that receives a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Also, ensure the site has good drainage so water doesn’t pool after a heavy rain. Finally, make sure your garden is easily accessible from your home so watering and harvesting are convenient. It is always a good idea to check with neighbors and your HOA to make sure that gardens are allowed in the location that you select.

Decide on a Garden Type

You don’t need a huge backyard to grow vegetables. Choose the method that best fits your space:

• Raised Beds: Great for beginners. They offer excellent drainage, keep out pests, and allow you to control the soil quality from the start. There are many raised containers available or you can build your own. The beds can be stone, wood, plastic, or steel. I like to recommend stone as a raised bed material, the initial cost is a little more but they are organic and will last forever.
• In-Ground Gardens: Ideal if you already have great soil. Simply clear out the sod, till, and amend the soil with compost. This is a little old school but is still a good way to garden. You want to make sure that you have good soil to start with and amend it as required to make a good garden soil.
• Container Gardens: Perfect for balconies, patios, and small yards. Use large pots (at least 5-gallons) with drainage holes. Nurseries often have used nursery containers that work great for gardens.

Prepare the Soil

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive garden. Local garden centers tend to have a better soil selection than most box stores and buying bulk soil mixes (loose soil-by the cubic yard) are a better value than bagged soils. If building a raised bed, fill it with a high-quality, proven, blend of compost and topsoil. For in-ground beds, spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of compost and soil amendments over the area and gently work it into the existing dirt using a garden fork or tiller. This is often much more work thus many gardeners choose to build raised beds. Raised beds are easier to work with as well- less bending over!

Choose What to Plant

Grow what you and your family actually eat. Many county agriculture offices have a planting calendar on their website that is specific to your county. For beginners, it’s best to start with reliable, easy-to-grow crops:

• Cool-season crops: Lettuce, radishes, peas, and spinach.
• Warm-season crops: Tomatoes, bush beans, cucumbers, and peppers.

You can buy seeds to sow directly into the ground or purchase established seedlings (starter plants) from local nurseries, which can give you a head start on the growing season. Most starter plants that are available are around 6-7 weeks old.

Planting and Maintenance

Follow the spacing instructions on your seed packets or plant tags to avoid overcrowding. Adding fertilizer locally around each plant at planting time will help them get off to a great start. Once planted, water your garden deeply. Vegetables generally require about an inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Water at the base of the plants in the morning to prevent fungal diseases on the leaves. Add a layer of organic mulch around your plants if you like to help the soil retain moisture and suppress weeds.

You should check on gardens frequently- pull weeds as needed and watch for any pest issues. Deal with any insects or diseases quickly for best results. Local garden centers are a great resource for gardening advice.

Add a good organic fertilizer monthly to ensure good plant health and production.

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